Automatic feeding and catching device for rolling mills



` Sept-18, 1934. E. a. HUDSON AUTOMATIC FEEDING AND CATCHING DEVICE'FOR ROLLING MILLS Filed Deo., 1e. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN OR.

AT TORNEYS @Q um.

SePt- 18, 1934- I E. B. HUDSON V 1,973,810

AUTOMATIC FEEDING AND CATHING DEVICE FOR ROLLINGl MILLS O f90 698g 9 INVE TOR.

ATTORNEYS Sept. 18, 1934. E, B HUDSON A1,973,810

AUTOMATIC FEEDING AND CATCHING DEVICE FOR ROLLING MILLS Filed Dec. 16., 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet v5 INVENTOR. i

ATTORNEYS Sept. 18, 1934. E. B. HUDSON AUTOMATIC FEEDING AND CTCI'IING` DEVICE FOR ROLLING MILLS 16', 1931 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec.

INV NTOR.

RVZ/M a@ A TTORNEYS Patented Sept. 18, 1934 IPATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC FEEDING AND CATCHING DEVICE FOR ROLLING IVIILLS Edwin B. Hudson, Middletown, Ohio, assigner to The American Rolling Mill Company, Middletown, Ohio, a. corporation of Ohio Application December 16, 1931, Serial No. 581,415

22 Claims.

My invention relates to feeding land catching machines for rolling thin sheets or thin sheets in packs from what is known as thin bar on threehigh hot mills. It is now the general practice to operate this type of mill manually, there being a roller and helper on the feeding side and a catcher on the catching side of the mill to return the packs through the upper pass of the mill. mills are equipped with a catching machine to return the packs back through the mill. Such catching machines are generally of the tilting type with reversing chains so that the sheet or pack can be returned through the upper pass.

The following is a full description of the invention which is not limiting and is subject to change in detail without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the description I have used the word packs for the material operated upon by the mill, but it will be understood that single sheets may also be used. The scope of the invention will be understood by those skilled in the art upon considering the description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings consisting or four sheets:`

Figures 1 and la, which are to be taken together, show a side elevation and part section along the center line of the mill from the pack heating furnace to the discharge end of the catcher.

Figs. 2 and 2a, which are to be taken together, show in plan the assembly of Figs. 1 and 1a, the mill being shown in section.

Fig. 3 shows in elevation a portion of the machine located at the section lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3a shows in perspective the lever operaing the stack matching means.

Fig. 3b showsthe end elevation of the stack matching means shown in Fig. 3.

length recording gauge for finished pack length and the controlling device for setting the number of passes to be given the pack before being discharged from the catcher.

Fig. 5 shows the same general information as Fig. 4 in elevation instead of plan.

The salient features of this invention are as follows:

Equipment is provided to feedv and catch on each side of the mill.

The packs are held securely on both the upper and lower surfaces to hold the various sheets in proper position within the pack during 'the rolling operation. To hold the packs securely is necessary when rolling on a three-high mill as Some Fig. 4 shows the wiring diagram in plan of the4 the packs are loose rolled and are not set as when rolled on a two-high hot mill where the mill rolls are not cooled.

The feeding and catching tables are equipped with non-reversing chains and do not tilt for the return pass. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the Weight of the equipment, simpliest its operation, and lowers the maintenance cos s.

The feeding and catching tables are built to be operated at floor level of the mills and require no pits for installation.

The feeding and catching tables are mounted on anged wheels so they can be rolled back clear of the mill for roll changing.

All table motors are constant speed and are not reversed or stopped during the operation of the equipment.

All chains which receive the pack as it is delivered from the mill are run at mill surface speeds.

All chains which feed the pack into the mill operate at 25% less surface speed than the catching chains to prevent jumpers which are caused by feeding the mill at mill speeds. For example, a pack passing through the mill with a 20% reduction Will deliver at about mill speed, whereas its entering speed is only about of mill speed. In any mechanical catcher where the pack is securely held in position, provision has to be made to compensate for the difference between entering and delivery speeds.

Provision is made to match the packs as they come from the heating furnace before entering the mill.

The catching table is provided with a device to deliver the pack on the rst, third, fifth, etc., pass as predetermined by the operator.

The length of the finished pack is indicated on a dial for the operators information after the last pass is completed; and the indicator remains on the dial until it is returned to zero by an electrical control button.

Briefly, in the practice of my invention, I provide in connection with a three-high mill, a pair of constantly moving conveyor mechanism on either side. I shall describe these in my exemplary embodiment as conveyor chains, the pairs of chains aforesaid being arranged one above the other. Thus on either side there will be a lower conveyor chain or set of chains, the upper surface of which is in alignment to feed a sheet or pack to, or receive a sheet or pack from the pinch between the lower and middle rolls of the mill. On either side there will also be an upper conveyor chain, the lower working surface of which will be directed to feeding a sheet orpack into or receiving a sheet or pack from the pinch between the middle roll and the upper roll of the three high mill. Since the two feeding and delivery points aforesaid are interspaced from each other-by the thickness of the small roll of the mill, it will be clear that the conveyor means aforesaid will, on each side of the mill, diverge from each other toward the mill. Since the upper surface ofthe lower conveyor means is the working surface and since the lower surface of the upper conveying means is the working surface, it will be clear that the conveying means can-all be driven at constant speeds in a single direction, providing means are taken to switch a sheet or pack from contact with the u'pper surface of the lower conveying means into contact with the lower-surface of the upper conveying means, or vice versa. 'I'he conveyor means on different sides of the mill will` not usually run at the same speeds.

For the purpose aforesaid, I provide switching meanswhich, in the exemplary embodiment, comprise a set of opposed rollers between which a sheet or pack may be fed, the opposed rollers mounted` in a reciprocating frame. Means are also provided to raise and lower this frame for the purpose aforesaid, and the switching mechanism will be of such size and shape that it can engage the. sheet or pack without interfering with the main conveying chains aforesaid. Consequently in my exemplary embodiment, the upper and lower conveying means comprise sets of chains located near the outer edges of thesheet or pack, and my switching means comprises rollers in a frame located between the innermost sets of chains respectively, of the upper and lower conveyor mechanism. Thus a sheet or pack may be fed through the mill and received on a lower chain conveyor adapted to carry it away from the mill and into engagement with the switching means. At a predetermined point in its travel, the switching means will be moved so as to cause the sheet or pack to be fed by the upper conveying means back into the mill.

In connection with these devices, I also provide means for the automatic actuation of the switching means, cyclical means for determining, if desired automatically, the number of passes which the sheet or'pack shall have through the mill, and other means for measuring the length of the sheet or pack, for truing up packs,-and the like, as will hereinafter be explained.

Figs. 1 and 1a show a general arrangement of the equipment, in preferred embodiment, in elevation and part section, the rolling mill being shown .partly in section. Thel pack heating furnace may b'e of the chain and finger type, in which the packs are heated. The movements of the furnace chain 2 may be controlled by'push buttons 3 and 4 located near the operator (see Fig. 2), or automatic, or semi-automatic means may be provided Yfor delivering heated pieces from the furnace. The heated pieces are delivered to the jack-knife table 5, 15, which has moving chains driven by a constant speed motor 6, through a series of sprockets and chains. The distinguishing feature of this table is that the discharge end` thereof, indicated at 14, is hinged to the receiving end of the table 5. at l5, so that part 14 may be raised to permit the feeder table 1 7, hereinafter to be described, sufficient room to be pulled clear of the mill 92, and under the jack-knife table 15. When the feeder tablev is in rolling position, cross bar 14a is placed in slot 17a thus locking the discharge end 15 of the jackknife table down into position.

. sprockets.

.stop 74, and is operatedr by foot treadle 75.

When the table end is iii raised may be placed in holes 16.

The feeder table chassis 17 is mounted on flanged Wheels 18, which run on a track 19. The feeder table has two conveyor chains 29, which are driven in a clockwise direction at surface speed equal to mill speed. The conveyor chains operating as a single conveyor, are driven by motor 20, through a system of chains and Conveyor chain 29 is carried by head sheaves 30, intermediate sheaves 3l, take-up sheaves 32, and tail sprockets 33. There are two lower feeder conveyor chains 34, which are driven in clockwise direction by motor 20, through an overrunning clutch, and through a system of chains and sprockets, reducing it down to of mill speed. The lower feeder conveyor chains 34 pass over tail sheaves 44 on tail shaft 45, and are driven by head sprockets 46. The main chassis 17 of the feeder is rigid from the head shaft 41 to the tail shaft 45, whereas the head shaft for sheaves 30 is mounted in a pivotally mounted frame 47, which is free to turn in a vertical plane around the axis 48. This axis 48 is journaled on a part of the frame or main chassis 17 which is extended for that purpose. Catching rollers 49 and feeding rollers 50 are also mounted in a pivotally mounted frame (not shown), which is free to turn in a vertical plane about axis 53 which is also journaled in the main chassis 17. With this arrangement frames 47 and the roller frame, being free to turn about their respective axes, cause the receiving chain to be in resilient contact with receiving rollers 49, also delivery rollers 50, and delivery chains 34. The resilient contact of the chain and rollers with the pack provides a firm grip, and takes care of various thicknesses of packs. The main chassis or frame of the catcher is not shown, butv all of the pivots or axis of the supplemented or moving frames are journaled on this main chassis.

The, transfer and reversal of packs from the receiving chain 29 and receiving rollers 49 to delivery chain 34 and delivery rollers 50 for entry into themill is accomplishedl by a set of switching rollers 54, mounted in frame 55, capable of position, bar 14a `rotating about axis 56. The downward move-` ment is powered by spring 57, while the upward movement is actuated by the electric solenoid 58, which is controlled by an electric switch y59. Directly mounted above rollers 54 are a top set of rollers 60 carried in frame 6l, which is pivotally mounted to arms 62 rotatable about axis 28 and held in firm contact by spring 63. Solenoid 58 is sufficiently strong so that when energized it will overcome the pull of springs 57 and 63 and place the switching rollers in receiving position.

Switching rollers 54 and 60 are shown in thefeeding position which is caused by the tension in spring 57.

Edgewise matching of the packs is accom-- plished by means of side guides 64, which are supported by means of adjustable brackets 65, on reciprocally operated shafts 66 and 67, operating laterally through bearings 68, by means of control hand lever 69. The hand lever has two separate and distinct motions to accomplish edgewise and endv/ise matching. Endwise matching is accomplished by movable stop 70, mountedon shaft l71, which is rotatable in bearings 72. Shaft -71 is held in its normal position by spring 73 and Hammer block '76, which is adjustable along bar 77, serves to align the sheet pack endwise against stop 70, this movement being actuated by lever 69, when moved in the direction indicated by arrow 78, while arrow 79 indicates the direction lever 69 is moved for edgewise matching. Endwise movement of bar 77 by-partially rotating shaft 80, on which lever arm 81 is mounted (while lever arm 81 of same radius is mounted on a pin support). Hand lever 69 is mounted on shaft 83 so that it is rotatable along the axis of shaft 83 about the center 84, when the lever is moved in the direction indicated-by arrow 78, whereas when hand lever 69 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 79, then shaft 83 is rotated the same extent. The lower end of hand lever 69 is forged with a nat face where it comes in contact with the square section of shaft 83, the other face is forged as a clevis to receive link 85 which is cony nected to shaft 80, acting as a flexible coupling.

Shaft 83 is carried in bearings 86 and has two upper lever arms 87, operating shafts 67, through links 88. Two lower lever arms 89 operateshafts 66 through links 90. The movements of shafts 66 and 67 are equal and opposite. When lever 69 is rotated away from the table side guides 64 open and vice versa. The outline of a sheet pack is shown by dotted lines 91.

The mill is a three-high type driven at constant speed in one direction. The mill housing 92 is supported on mill shoes 93. 'The mill rolls are shownv at 94, 95, and 96. The screwdown lever is shown at 97.

The catching machine is of the same general design as the feeding machine. Chassis 98 is supported on flanged wheels 99 running on trackA 100. Catching chain is 101,` catching rollers 102, feeding chain 103,.and feeding roller 104. The table is driven by a constant speed motor 105, through suitable sprocket and chain system to head shaft sprocketl 111, on head shaft 112, with head shaft sprockets 113, during delivery conveyor chain 101, which passes over tail sheave 114. Feeding chain 103 is driven by sprocket 115, through chain 116 to sprocket 117. Suitable reduction between sprockets 115 and 117 is provided so that feeder chain. 103 runs at 75% of catcher chain (101) speed. Power from sprocket 117 is transmitted through overrunning clutch 118 to shaft 119. .Feeder chain 103 is driven by sprockets 120 and is supported by sheaves 121 and takeup sheaves 122. Frame members are supported in the same manner as the frames on the feeding machine. Lower switching rollers 125 are mounted in frame 126, rotatively mounted around axis 127 and is normally held against the feeder chain by spring 128 for the feeding position and in the receiving position (as shown) by solenoid 129. Mounted directly above rollers 125 are mounted a second set of rollers 130 mounted in frame 131, and pin connected to member 132,

rotatable about axis 133, and held in contact by spring 134. Spring 128 is strong enough to overcome spring 134 and all movements of rollers 125 and. 130 are controlled by solenoid 129 which is operated by electric switch 135.

As is the usual practice of rolling on this type of mill, the gauge of the sheets in the pack is controlled by the length to which a known weight of thin bar is rolled. To provide the operator with information as to the length to which the packs are rolled, a dial gauge 136 has been provided which is attached to mill housing 92 in clear view of the operator.

Head shaft 112 is providedwith'a magnetic clutch 137 and 137'. Half ofv the clutch 137 is keyed to shaft 112 while the second half 137' is idle on the shaft and stationary, being held in this position by spring and band 138. Between the conveyor chains 101, is mounted a pneumaticelectric switch 139 which is normally held in the open position by air jet 140, as long as there are no packs to cut the air off fromthe switch. When pack 141 passes, cutting air jet 140y and closing switch 139, magnetic clutch 137 is energized, when relay 163 is closed, picking up second half of clutch 137' which is-rotated at the same rate as shaft 112.

Clutch 137 drives a Selsyn generator'142, (not a part of this invention), or some other type of synchronous mechanism, through gears 143 and 144. The Selsyn generator 142 is electrically connected to a Selsyn indicator 145 which makes the parts of a revolution in equal amounts' as the Selsyn generator 142 when the air blast 140 again opensswitch 139, the hand 136 stops a/rid indicates the length of the pack. Dial 136 is calibrated in inches corresponding to the length of the pack passing air jet 140. In order that the indicated reading remains on the dial, dog 146 is in contact with the surface of 137 and held in this position by spring 147. After the operator has read the dial 136, button 149 is pressed, which energizes solenoid 148, which allows clutch and dial to return to zero. No length is recorded until the last pass, [as relay 163 is open in all previous passes. l i

It is `desirable when operating this type of mill to give each gauge that is to be rolled a denite number of passes, depending on the amount of reduction, etc. Apparatus has been provided to roll a definite number of passes on each pack, for` instance ve passes, then the pack is delivered from the catching table and not returned to the mill. On the 1st, 3rd, 5th,l and 7th, etc. passes the pack will pass over and close electric switch 135 whichenergizes sol noid 129 to switch the pack to the return chain. When the end of the pack clears electric switch 135, the solenoid 129 is defenergized and spring 128 moves the pack against feeding chain 103. It is then quite clear that should the current remain on solenoid 139, the pack would not be returned to the mill but would pass from the catcher.

Ratchet 150 is provided with teeth as'shown representing the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th passes, together with holes drilled directly below the teeth into which a pin is inserted for the desired pass that the pack is to deliver. (The pin on the drawing is shown in 5th pass hole.) The operation is as follows: Each time the pack depresses switch 135 is closed to receive and switch the pack, solenoid 151 is also energized moving the ratchet 150 clockwise one tooth by means of dog 152, whchis held in this position by dog 153. This operation is repeated on the 1st and 3rd passes and on the 5th pass, pin 154 engages trigger 155, closing switch 156, which allows the electric current to flow to solenoid 129 (and lrelayf136 for re- Icording the pack length), when the sheet pack has passed switch 135, which it opens. The current that is bypassed switch 135 through switch 156 continues to hold solenoid 129 down and switching rollers 125 and 130 in line with receivon member 150. Member 150 then rotates in a counter-clockwise direction until it engages stop 160 returning to zero. Spring and strap 161 furnislxi' the power for the return motion. The mech- 5 anin for controlling the passes is mounted in a case near the operator, shown as 162.

Operation The desired number of passes that are to be given to the pack is set by placing pin 154 in the proper hole (say five) and member 150 set at zero by button 149, which also sets dial 136 to zero. Edgewise matching guide and endwise hammer block 76 are set to suit the' size of the thin bar. 97 are made to roll to the desired gauge in ve passes. Screwdown lever is set for the rst pass, the operator takes his station at lever 69 which is set so side guide 64 are open to receive the pack. Furnacechain 2, which is controlled by push buttons 3 and 4, delivers a pack onto table 5, the pack is then delivered to the matcher guides 70, 76, 64, 64, and matched by movements of lever 69, then released by treadle 75 and stop 70. The pack is carried into the lower pass of the mill by chain 34 and isdelivered to the catcher chain 101 and rollers 102, switchingrollers 125-130 are pulled do'wn as shown by solenoid 129 which has been energized by switch 135 to receive the pack after the rear end of the pack has passedswitch 135, solenoid 129 is de-energized and spring 128 puts the pack against feeding chain 103 to enter the mill on the top pass.

The pack is delivered from the top pass of the mill to chain 29, rollers 49, the front end of the pack closing switch 59, energizing solenoid 58, moving rollers 54 and 60' upward-to receive the pack when the rear end-of the pack clears switch 59, the circuit is opened, solenoid 58 de-energized and spring 57 brings rollers 54 and 60 in contact with the feeder chain 34, and the pack-enters the lower pass of the mill on itsl third pass. This cycle is repeated until the required number of passes have been made. Screwdown 97 adjust- 45(ments have been made preceding each pass. When (in this case) the pack passes switch 135 the fth time, solenoid v129 and relay 153 are energized by bypass electric switch 156 and rollers 125 and 130 do not return to the feeding position, and the pack is delivered at the discharge end of the conveyor as the pack passes under air jet 140, closing electric switch 139 with relay 163 closed the length of the pack is recorded on dial 136. No intermediate pass lengths are recorded as relay 163 is open until the required number of passes have been completed. The mill screw 97 is again set for the rst pass and the cycle repeated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 60 Patent, is:-

v 1. A catcher device'comprising a pair of constantly moving conveyor elements oppositely disposed, each adapted to engage apiece to be acted upon on alternate sides thereof, and means for N shifting the piece after engagement with one of the conveyor elements to engagement with the other conveyor element.

2. A catcher device comprising a pair of constantly moving conveyor elements, each adapted to engage a piece to be acted upon on alternate sides thereof, and means for shifting the piece after engagement with one of the conveyor elements to engagement with the other conveyor ele- 'ment, said conveyor elements comprising members which yieldably engage the work.

Adjustments to the mill Screwdown 3.\In combination with'a rolling mill of the three-high type, a conveyor devicein piece-feeding position and a conveyor device in receiving position on the same side`of the mill, said conveyor devices diverging toward said mill, means 'adjacent said conveyor devices along a portion of their length-for keeping a piece in operativev contact therewith, and means beyond said rst mentioned means for shifting a piece from engagement with one conveyor device into engagement with the other.

4. In a combined catching and feeding device, a conveyor having a working face in piece feeding position and a conveyor having a working face in catching position, said conveyors vertically interspaced and said working faces disposed toward each other, whereby said conveyors may be driven continuously at constant speed, and movable `'means for shifting a piece from engagement with the working face of one conveyor into engagement with the working face of the other conveyor.

5. In combination with a rolling mill, a conveying device havingfan upper working face in receiving position and a vertically interspaced conveying device having a working face in piece feeding pition, switching means for transferring a piece from engagement with one .of said conveyors into engagement with the other of said conveyors, and means actuated by the piece for effecting said switching. 1

6. In combination with a rolling mill, a conveying de vice having an upper working face in receiving position and a vertically interspaced conveying device having a working face in piece feeding position, switching means for transferring a piece from "engagement with one of said conveyors into engagement with the other of lsaid conveyors, and 'means actuated by the piece for effecting said switching, and cyclically operating means for rendering said rst mentioned means inoperative upon completion of the given cycle.

7. In a sheet matching and feeding device, in combination with a three-high mill, a conveyor on the exit side with a working face in piecereceiving position, a vertically interspaced conveyor with a working face in piece feeding position, switching means for transferring la piece from contact with one of saidconveying means to contact with the other of said conveying means, f. a run out table beyond said switching means, means operated by the piece for actuating said switching means, cyclical means actuated by said rst means for rendering said switching means inoperative at the end of a predetermined cycle, whereby said receiving means transfers said piece to said table.

8. In combination with a three-high mill, receiving conveyor means having an upper working face in piece-receiving position, vertically interspaced feeding conveyor means having a lower working face in piece-feeding position, means adjacent said working faces for holding a piece in contact therewith over a portion of the length of said conveyors, a switching means offset therefrom for transferring a piece from contact with said rst mentioned conveyor to contact with said second mentioned conveyor, switch operating means lying in the path of said piece, means for moving said switching means, and an electrical connection between said switch and 145 said moving means.

,9. In combination with a three-high mill, receiving conveyor means having an upper working face in piece-receiving position, vertically interspaced feeding conveyor means having a lower 150 working face in piece-feeding position, means adjacent said working faces for holding a piece in contact therewith over a portion of the length of said conveyors, a switching means offset therefrom for transferring a piece from contact with said first mentioned conveyor to contact with said second mentioned conveyor, switch operating means lying in the path of said piece, means for moving said switching means, and an electrical connection between said switch and said moving means, a holding circuit for said electrical connection, and cyclically operated means actuated by said switch for closing said holding circuit at the end of a prearranged cycle.

10. In combination with a three-high mill, receiving conveyor means having an upper working face in piece-receiving position, vertically interspaced feeding conveyor means having a lower working face in piece-feeding position, means adjacent said working faces for holding a piece in contact therewith over a portion of the length of said conveyors, a switching means offset therefrom for transferring a piece from contact with said first mentioned conveyor to contact with said second mentioned conveyor, switch operatlng means lying in the path of said piece, means for moving said switching means, and an electrical connection between said switch and said moving means, a holding circuit for said electrical connection, cyclically operated means actuated by said switch for closing said holding circuit at the end of a prearranged cycle, a run out table at the end of said piece receiving conveyor, and means located to be actuated by a piece on said table for measuring the length of said piece.

11. In combination with a three-high mill, receiving conveyor means having an upper working face in piece-receiving position, vertically interspaced feeding conveyor means having a lower working face in piece feeding'position, means adjacent said working faces for holding a piece in contact therewith over a portion of the length of said conveyors, a switching means offset therefrom for transferring a piece from contact with said first mentioned conveyor to contact with said second mentioned conveyor, switch operating means lying in the path of said piece, means for moving said switching means, an electrical connection between said switch Vand said moving means, a holding circuit for said electrical connection, cyclically operated means actuated by said switch for closing said holding circuit at the end of a prearranged cycle, a run out table at the end of said piece receiving conveyor, means located to be actuated by a piece on said table for measuring the length of said piece, said means comprising an indicator, a synchronous connection between said indicator and said run out table, and piece operated means for effecting the operation of said synchronous connection.

12. In combination with a three-high mill, receiving conveyor means having an upper working face in piece-receiving position, vertically interspaced feeding conveyor means having a llower working face in piece-feeding position, means adjacent said working faces for holding a piece in contact therewith over a portion of the length of said conveyors, a switching means offset therefrom for transferring a piece from contact with said first mentioned conveyor to contact with said second mentioned conveyor, switch operating means lying in the path of said piece, means for moving said switching means, and an elec'- trical connection between said switch and said moving means, a holding circuit for said electrical connection, cyclically operated means actuated by said switch for closing said holding circuit at the end of a prearranged cycle, a run out table at the end of said piece receiving conveyor, means located tobe actuated by a piece on said table for measuring the length of said piece, said means comprising an indicator, a synchronous connection between said indicator and said run out table, a piece operated means for effecting the operation of said synchronous connection, and releasable means in connection with said indicating device whereby a given reading will be held thereon.

13. In combination with a rolling mill, a conveyor having an upper working face arranged in feeding position, a vertically interspaced conveyor having a lower working face in receiving position, said conveyors located at the entering side of said mill, switching means for transferring a piece from Contact with one of said working' faces to the other of said working faces, and sheet actuated means for moving said switching means from receiving to feeding position.

14. In a piece feeding and receiving meansI for rolling mills, a table, operating means on said table to true a pack, a conveyor having an upper piece feeding face in feeding position and in alignment with said table, a vertically interspaced conveyorhaving a lower receiving face in receiving position, means adjacent said facesfor holding a piece in contact therewith, and switching means offset therefrom to transfer a piece from contact with one of said working faces into con- .tact with the other of said working faces.I

l5. In a piece feeding and receiving means for rolling mills, a table, operating meanson said table to true a pack, a conveyor having an upper piece feeding face in feeding position and in alignment with said table, a vertically interspaced conveyor having a lower receiving face in receiving position, means adjacent said faces for holding a piece in contact therewith, and switching means offset therefrom to tansfera piece .from contact with one of said working faces into contact with the other of said working faces, said table comprising side guides, a stop and a movable dog, a pair of interspaced shafts upon which said side guides are mounted, a shaft upon which said dog is mounted, linkage connections between said shafts, and a lever attached to one of said linkage connections whereby pivotal movement of said lever in one direction will move said side 'guides relative to each other, and pivotal movement of said lever in the other direction will move' said end members relative to each other.

16.-In combination with a rolling mill anda furnace, a receiving table for said furnace having a hinged portion, feeding and catching means on one side of said mill mounted for movement along tracks, said feeding and catching means 'hinged portion of said furnace table, said hinged ,g portion being raisable to permit a sliding movement of said catching and receiving device away portion, a movable frame for supporting a feeding and catching device, a table on said frame, manually actuated meanson said frame for aligning a pack, feeding and catching devices on said frame, a second movable frame on the opposite side of said mill, feeding and catching devices on said frame, and a run out table on said frame, and sheet actuated means mounted upon both of said frames for selectively feeding and catching pieces being rolled.

19. In combination with a three-high rolling mill and a furnace, a furnace table having a hinge portion, a movable frame for supportinga feedingfand catching device, a table on said frame, manually actuated means on said frame for aligning a pack,- feeding and catching devices on said frame, a second Amovable frame on the opposite side of said mill, feeding and catching devices on said frame, and a run out table on said frame, sheet actuated means mounted upon both of said frames for selectively feeding and catching pieces being rolled, and means on said last mentionedv table for actuating an indicating device, and an indicating device for showing the length of pieces as rolled. 4 l

20. In combination with a rolling mill, movable sheet feeding and receiving devices'located on either side thereof, each of said devices comprising interspaced conveyor means having working faces, respectively, in catching and feeding positions, means for switching a piece from the working face of one conveyor to the working face of another conveyor, a piece actuated means for moving said switching means so as to change from receiving to feeding and from feeding to receiving positions, respectively, on the opposite sides of said mill, and means for continuously holding a piece in resilient engagement with said conveyors and said switching means throughout the course of its travel.

21. In combination with a rolling mill, movable sheet feeding and receiving devices located on either side thereof, each of said devices comprising interspaced conveyor means having working faces, respectively, in catchingv and feeding positions, means for switching a piece from' the working face of one conveyor to the working face of another conveyor, a piece actuated means for moving said switching means so as to change from receiving to feeding and from feeding to receiving positions, respectively, on the opposite sides of said mill, means for continuously holding a piece in resilient engagement with said conveyors and said switching means throughout the course of its travel, and cyclicallf,T operating means for automatically controlling the movements of said switching means through a predetermined cycle.

22. In a sheet feeding and catching device, a conveyor having a working face in feeding position and another conveyor having a working face in receiving position and switching means for transferring pieces from'the working face of one conveyor to the other, said switching means comprising a pivoted bracket bearing conveying means, and a second nterspaced pivoted bracket bearing conveying means, said conveying means being positioned to gripa piece passed therebetween, and means for moving said brackets simultaneously.

' EDWIN B. HUDSON. 

